high home prices but neighborhood not so nice (i.e., even in $2M new builds, grids are being placed within the glass)

Are the grids a security feature somehow? If not, then I'd probably go with no grids on that style of house.

" There is nothing at all traditional about your house. Skip the grids completely "

Agree completely. No Grids.

" Are the grids a security feature somehow? "

No they are hollow pieces of rectangular shaped aluminum between the glass simulating divided lites.

With your blinds and plantation shutters the grids just create visual chaos. I would skip the grids.

Understand all the feedback and a number of houses like mine have switched to non-grid windows, probably 50/50, but in almost all instances, it does not improve the look. They look cheaper and like an apartment building. The shutters help that fight the empty look for sure, but I strongly feel grids of some sort ultimatelty add charm and interest here. They are very popular here both in my immediate area and in the fancier neighborhoods including on new builds.

No muntins, all windows, even the arched one.

I’m also in CA but haven’t noticed grids vs none in new builds. I think you should go with what appeals to you. I do notice the popularity of plantation shutters here. No change in that in years. Our ranch style home (built in 1956) has the original windows with grids and plantation shutters throughout. Never really gave it much thought.

The architectural design quality is low. You'll have to do more to up that if you want to show some design value. No grids and you can increase the window dimensions to add architectural character. The windows on the rear can come down to get rid of the horizontal look. The half circle can be a single fixed and the two below one single fixed. You'll stand out above the other examples.

Thanks everyone! I’m in Los Angeles (coastal area) and drove around again today and almost all new builds that are not super modern have grids of some sort (generally simpler than mine). And, no point sadly in investing money in making the house architecturally more appealing. I’ve owned the home for ten years already, will probably hang on to it as a rental or for family use, but it is shockingly already one of the nicer homes on the block, so zero return potential. It will be what it is and have remodeled kitchen and all bathrooms in past few years and layout is already way better than most houses here (and why i booght it) and you will laugh/cry to know that our backyard is also “large”. Sigh. Will stop worrying about this house and move on mentally to the next! Thank you again!

You could consider horizontal muntins only. It's a more modern look without going all the way to no muntins at all.

I dislike grids on any home except colonial or very traditional so why not just forget them adn the bonus is they are not right in the place where you want to lokk out and show us your house .

Here's your house with horizontal muntins only

This has some precedence in LA in the houses of Paul Williams which were often a mix of traditional and contemporary

Spanish style or Spanish inspired houses in LA tend to have the horizontal muntins.

Just do what you like, which you seem to be arguing for anyway!!

Never heard of someone not buying a house because it had or didn't have muntins, or they were the wrong number.

Thank you @chipsa and totally fair I certainly have a point of view. in my defense, i didn't ask if grids or no grids was better a better route as yes i had determined already that i wanted grids. I was looking for input on three specific grid options. oh well! ill accept my terrible taste and move on with my bad decisions ;)

Double-hung windows are inefficient (because of their meeting rails) and sliders are even worse. Install casement windows wherever possible and skip the grids which add cost and block the views. Awning windows are also great as they can be left open in sloppy weather. Find windows that meet the Energy Star South-Central Climate Zone Window Criteria and consider ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024 Windows. We installed Enerlux fiberglass windows which have proven not only energy efficient but block the noise...even the beep-beep-beep of trash trucks.